Inside The Nets

What we learned from the Nets' devastating loss to the Detroit Pistons

The Nets have lost their footing in the Play-In race, as they lost to the bottom-dwelling Pistons.

Peter Sunjic

© Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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The Nets had momentum coming into this game against the Detroit Pistons. Unfortunately, Brooklyn failed to capture that momentum, losing to Detroit 118 to 112. It was one of the worst results for the Nets this season, considering this was a Pistons team that lost 28 games in a row earlier this year.

Dennis Schroder was the standout for Brooklyn, scoring a team-high 31 points. Unfortunately, the Nets couldn’t secure the win, as they gave up 60+ points between Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.

This loss has led to some significant takeaways ahead of the season's final stretch.

The Nets are a mediocre rebounding team without Sharpe

Day’Ron Sharpe is recovering from a bum wrist, which led to Nic Claxton being the only experienced big man on the roster. Rookie Noah Clowney played nine minutes but couldn’t assist Clax with rebounding.

The former Georgia Bulldog grabbed a team-high ten rebounds, contributing to Brooklyn’s 28 rebounds. It was one of the game’s worst performances on the boards, as they were out-rebounded 50 to 28 by Detroit.

“The biggest difference-maker was probably the rebounding and them just corralling the missed shots and it’s a big momentum change,” Claxton said after the game, taking accountability for the performance. “I need to do better on the offensive glass for sure. I think I’m probably averaging like one (offensive) rebound in the last ten games, so I need to do better.”

Cam Thomas needs to relieve Mikal from the pressure

Over the past ten games, Mikal Bridges has been in a slump, averaging 15.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and four assists per game. His shooting splits show his struggles even more, as he’s only shooting 37.3% from the field and 29.1% from beyond the arc.

Opponents key in on Bridges on defense, and he needs someone like Cameron Thomas to support him. Cam could relieve him of his scoring duties by providing ample support to maximize the Nets’ offense.

Brooklyn must start games better

The Nets’ first-quarter performance was woeful, as they only scored 16 points to Detroit’s 26. Brooklyn recovered and scored 41 points in the second quarter, but that first 12 minutes set the tone for the game.

Coach Kevin Ollie’s team recovered and even took the lead, but the Nets failed to address multiple areas, especially rebounding and maximizing their star player. It must change moving forward, as every game from now is a must-win for Brooklyn.

The Nets announce Ben Simmons is out for the rest of the regular season

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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